Carers charged with abuse; concern at Wellington region's ability to respond to massive earthquake; gardening in Christchurch's red zone angers business owners.
NZ Herald
Two caregivers who were previously employed by Child Youth and Family have been charged with more than 30 counts of abuse. It's alleged the couple chained boys in foster care together and scrubbed them with wire brushes.
The paper says a complaint has been laid with police after a spectator allegedly punched a player at a schoolboy soccer match.
Dominion Post
A report is raising serious concerns that Wellington's emergency management agencies lack the capacity and capability to respond in a massive earthquake, the paper says.
Wellingtonians will get a chance to vote on the controversial Wellywood sign after the airport bowed to public pressure and agreed to consider alternatives.
Two Basin Reserve flyover options are being considered by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The Press
Pressure is growing on Christchurch Arts Centre chiefs to allow the Dux de Lux bar to re-open on the earthquake damaged site.
The paper publishes a photo of council workers tending a garden in the heart of Christchurch's earthquake devastated red zone. The picture has angered people who are still unable to get access to their businesses in the zone.
A Christchurch woman with liquefaction throughout her house was initially told she would be ineligible for rates relief. However the newspaper's interest may have prompted a re-think by the Christchurch City Council.
Otago Daily Times
The Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association is calling on the Queenstown Lakes District Council to increase rates so it can spend more on marketing the area.
Gore district councillor Steve Dixon has pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting his partner and his 16-year-old daughter. He says he has no plans to resign from the council.
The paper talks to children at Romahapa School in Balclutha about the new green jerseys to be worn by the Highlanders rugby team. The children are not fans of the new colour, with 12-year-old Logan Pettit saying the players will be camouflaged in the grass.
